Clackamas County Divorce Decree Guide
Clackamas County stretches from the Portland metro area south to Mount Hood. Oregon City, the county seat, holds the circuit court where divorce cases are filed and stored. With a population near 420,000, this is one of the larger counties in the state. A divorce decree from Clackamas County comes through the court at 807 Main Street. The building sits in the heart of Oregon City's downtown. Whether you need a fresh copy of a recent decree or want to track down an older case, the court staff and online tools can help. This guide walks you through the full process.
Clackamas County Quick Facts
Clackamas County Divorce Decree Requests
To get a copy of a divorce decree, you start at the Clackamas County Circuit Court. The main courthouse is at 807 Main Street in Oregon City, OR 97045. Walk up to the civil window and ask for the record you need. You will need to know the case number and the exact document you want. Staff can help you narrow things down if you are not sure what to ask for. The civil division phone line is (503) 655-8447.
There is also the Holman Law Center at 821 Main Street. Some court functions run out of that site. Juvenile matters go through a third spot at 2121 Kaen Road. For divorce records, stick with the main court at 807 Main Street. That is where civil case files live.
Note: The Clerk Recording office at 1710 Red Soils Court Suite 110 does not handle divorce records at all.
How Courts Changed in Clackamas County
Back in 1983, the state of Oregon took over court operations from county clerks. Before that shift, county clerks ran the day-to-day work of the courts. After the change, circuit court staff became state workers. This matters when you look for a divorce decree. Older files may sit in a different spot than newer ones. The county clerk's office at Clackamas County Recording now handles land deeds and liens. It does not keep divorce files.
If you call the recording office at 503-655-8551, they will point you back to the circuit court. Many people make this mistake. Save yourself a trip. Go straight to the court for any divorce decree request.
Clackamas County Court Records Access
The image below is from the Clackamas County Circuit Court page.
The courthouse stands on Main Street in Oregon City, a short walk from the historic downtown district.
Public terminals sit in Room 12 of the courthouse. Anyone can walk in and use them to search for case data. The screens tie into the state court system. Type in a name or case number and see what comes up. You do not need to sign in or pay to browse. Once you find your case, jot down the details and take them to the clerk's window. This saves time and helps the staff pull your file fast.
For remote access, the OJCIN online system lets you search from home. There is a fee for each lookup. It is good for finding case numbers before you make a formal request.
Divorce Decree Copy Costs in Clackamas
Clackamas County has a clear fee structure for court copies. A plain copy runs $0.25 per page. A certified copy costs $5.00. An exemplified copy is $10.00. The court takes cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. These rates apply to all civil case documents, divorce decrees included.
The filing fee for a new divorce case is $287. That is a state rate. It does not change from county to county. If you are just picking up a copy of an old decree, you only pay the copy fee. Keep this in mind so you do not budget too high or too low.
Note: Audio copies of court proceedings are also available if you need them for your case.
Clackamas County Divorce Decree by Mail or Email
You do not have to show up in person. The court accepts record requests by mail at 807 Main Street, Oregon City, OR 97045. Include your name, the case number, the exact documents you need, and your payment. A phone call to (503) 655-8447 can help you sort out the details first. Ask the staff what forms to use and how much to send.
Electronic requests go through a SharePoint portal. You can also email the court at CLAPublic.Records.Request@ojd.state.or.us. State in your message the case number, the type of document, and how you want to receive it. The staff will respond with next steps. Email works well for simple requests where you already know the case number and just need a copy sent your way.
Oregon Divorce Law and Clackamas Cases
ORS Chapter 107 governs all divorce proceedings in the state. It sets out the grounds, the process, and the rules for property division, support, and custody. A divorce decree is the court order that ends a marriage. It is the final word from the judge. Without this document, the divorce has no legal force. Every county in Oregon follows the same statute, but local court rules can add small twists to the process.
Oregon uses a no-fault model. You do not need to prove that someone did something wrong. You just tell the court that the marriage has broken down and cannot be fixed. This keeps things simpler. Most cases in Clackamas County move through the system in a few months, though contested cases take longer.
The state also tracks divorces through its vital records system. ORS 432.350 deals with how vital events are recorded. The Oregon Vital Records office can confirm that a divorce happened, but only the circuit court can give you the full decree with all the terms spelled out.
Requesting a Clackamas Divorce Decree Step by Step
Here is a quick guide to the process. Follow these steps to avoid delays:
- Look up your case using the public terminals in Room 12 or through OJCIN.
- Write down the case number and the exact document title.
- Go to the civil window at 807 Main Street or send a written request.
- Pay the copy fee by cash, check, money order, or card.
- Pick up your certified divorce decree or wait for it by mail.
In-person pickups are often ready within the hour. Mail requests can take a week or more. If your case is old or complex, the wait may stretch. Call ahead to check on timing. The civil desk staff are helpful and used to these questions. Do not hesitate to reach out by phone first so you know what to expect when you arrive or when your mail arrives.
Clackamas County Records and Public Tools
The image below is from the Clackamas County records page.
This section of the court website walks you through each type of record request, from civil to criminal to family law files.
The court also has a fourth image resource worth noting. The image below comes from the Clackamas County Clerk Recording office.
This office at 1710 Red Soils Court handles property records and liens. It does not process divorce decree requests. The distinction matters because many residents confuse the two offices. For any divorce-related document, the circuit court at 807 Main Street is the correct destination.
Nearby Counties
Records from surrounding areas can be found through these county pages: